ON THE COMPARATIVE VALUE OF TIMBEU GROWN IN BRITAIN. 431 



XXVII. On the Comparative Value of the different Timber Trees 

 grown j'or projit in Britain; ivith Bate of Growtli of 

 each Species in a. gii-en time. By David Tait, Overseer, 

 Owston Park, Doncaster, Yorkshire. 



This is a very important subject to all owners of woodlands, and 

 those interested in their management and produce. There are 

 many local influences at work which render the same kind of tree 

 very profitable to cultivate in one district, while in another, and 

 perhaps not far distant district, it is quite the reverse, and these 

 influences must all be reckoned with by the successful planter ; soil, 

 altitude, and exposure, in particuLar, greatly influencing the rate 

 of growth of all kinds of trees. In dealing with a subject of this 

 nature, there is a difficulty in giving sufficient details to bring out 

 all the facts, while at the same time avoiding w^earisome repetitions. 

 To record the rate of growth of single specimen trees would not 

 be a satisfactory way of treating the subject, as the greater space 

 they occupy would require consideration, as well as the rate of 

 growth. Neither could a fair comparison be made by taking only 

 one kind of soil, as some trees grow fastest in one soil, and some in 

 another of a totally different character. I have therefore come to 

 the conclusion, that the fairest comparison can be made by con- 

 sidering the growth of trees on four kinds of soil, viz. — No. 1, good 

 loamy soil ; No. 2, peaty soil resting on clay ; No. 3, strong clay ; 

 and No. 4, sandy loam resting on gravel. For conciseness these 

 soils are referred to by their numbers in this essay, and also in 

 the comparative table at the end of it. 



The number of trees allowed per acre in my calculations may be 

 objected to by some, but as each kind is treated in relative 

 proportions, the numbers do not affect the conclusions arrived at. 

 It is true that we often find in plantations much fewer trees per 

 acre than the numbers given in this essay, but from whatever 

 cause this may arise, it is quite practicable to have the numbers 

 stated at the various stages of growth. 



I have not attempted to give the net value of any variety, for 

 the sufficient reason that doing so leads to too many speculative 

 figures to make out the necessary details. In all cases I give 

 gross values, without any deductions whatever. No note is taken 



